Alpha Ngunyale (Executive Secretary at Tanzania Commercial Poultry Association)
When the topic of uniting Tanzania’s poultry industry into one body to enhance advocacy and deliver value to stakeholders arises, the question of conflict of interest often surfaces. Can commercial breeders sit at the same table as growers, feed manufacturers, or processors, especially where their interests might clash? It’s a fair concern—after all, each group has its own priorities. But taking the long view, these so-called conflicts are actually common interests and reasons to unite. In this article, I’ve explored the shared challenges facing the poultry value chain in Tanzania. Yes, perspectives may differ on some points, but these hurdles affect the entire chain, stunting the sector’s growth—and that’s a call for collaboration, not division.
Tanzania’s poultry sector pulses with potential—103.1 million chickens, split between 47.4 million indigenous and 55.7 million exotic breeds, sustain over 4 million households, more than half of the 7 million engaged in farming. It produces 132,442 tons of meat (18% of the nation’s total), 6.4 billion eggs, and 1.8% of GDP.
From hatcheries producing millions of day-old chicks to smallholder farmers raising backyard flocks; from processors struggling to transition beyond live-bird markets to feed mills navigating volatile commodity markets—our most pressing challenges transcend individual segments and demand collective solutions.
For example, let’s examine ten major problems facing Tanzania’s poultry sector and uncover the common threads that bind them.
Common Challenges
Yes, each segment views these challenges through a different lens. Hatcheries struggle with distribution to rural areas. Growers contend with regional preferences and traditions. Processors face packaging and cold chain limitations. Feed manufacturers must compete with human consumption for maize supplies.
However, these differing perspectives don’t negate the fundamental truth: the common challenges vastly outweigh the points of divergence. When feed prices soar, everyone suffers. When consumer demand stagnates, no segment thrives. When import policies remain unchecked, the entire domestic industry falters.
Through unified industry collaboration we may achieve benefits that will provide opportunity for every point of the value chain to thrive and grow the industry altogether. Some benefits may include
Collective advocacy for policy reforms addressing feed ingredient taxation
Coordinated disease surveillance and rapid response systems
Industry-wide quality standards enhancing consumer confidence
Pooled resources for market research and consumer education
Collaborative training programs addressing technical skill gaps
Joint export promotion initiatives targeting regional markets
The challenges outlined in this analysis aren’t competing flashpoints—they’re shared burdens waiting for collective solutions. By recognizing our common interests and working together across the value chain, Tanzania’s poultry industry can transform these challenges into opportunities for growth that benefit every stakeholder.
The question isn’t whether we can afford to collaborate despite our differences. Rather, it’s whether we can afford not to.
